The Fighting Dragons of Ara in narrowband true colour

[strongmanmike]

Braving the sub zero temperatures and racing against the fog over the weekend...I managed to collect some OIII and some RGB to go with my Ha from three weeks ago, to complete only my third rendition in 11 years, using three very different imaging rigs (this is the widest) of this favourite bit of southern sky :)

I have compiled a true colour (almost) image... I decided to let the narrowband data show through just a little in NGC 6164 - the gem encrusted egg with magic aura (that the dragons are fighting over) :D

The Fighting Dragons of Ara (https://www.flickr.com/photos/strongman/43425659731/in/dateposted-public/) (click on image and use your cursor to surf around the large file)

Here you can surf the Full resolution image (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/167811653/original) ....for the die hard pixel peepers ;)

[Placidus]

Beautiful.

You've brought out much more of the "aura" around the jewel-encrusted egg than one normally sees. Very solid.

Lots of reflection nebulosity elsewhere, that tends to disappear in a pure NB image.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Very cool field. Never get tired of ARA :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I assume you've kept NB star colours overall right? I don't recall that many blue stars in the area.

[Atmos]

Really great Mike! Such a wide field and still very deep.

[gregbradley]

Gee whiz that is really nice. Another FSQ back on the wishlist!

This size FOV really suits this target. Love it.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Mike and Trish, yes always harder to keep the reflection neb using this approach but 80min of Blue data was enough :thumbsup:



Thanks Marc, no if you look closely they are all RGB stars ;), there are plenty of white and yellow and reddish stars in there too but what can I say...I love blue stars :D



Thanks Col, came out ok in the end I guess :thumbsup:

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Thanks a lot Greg, I agree, nice to see it in a wider context than normal...so, can you see the running chicken :question:....:rofl:

Sorry...:P

Mike

[willik]

Very nice image Mike but so many Dragons to choose.
Martin

[strongmanmike]

He he yeah I know, lots'a images of dragons this time of year :scared:....I only started it because I wanted to fill in time a few weeks ago at the end of an image run...so thought, meah better finish it, besides everything is kinda new when you have a new scope :D :thumbsup:

Mike

[atalas]

:eyepop:what a field:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: like where you went with the colour too Mike.....I imagine others won't agree, though for me It's really popped.

[Stevec35]

Once again a nice rendition of what's obviously one of your favorite areas Mike. I have mixed feelings about the colour saturation but generally I like it.

Cheers

Steve

[vlazg]

Nice Mike, just for interests sake , what was the integration time per frame for the RGB

[Slawomir]

Fantastic wide-field image of the dragons - glad to see you are having so much fun with the FSQ Mike. I reckon every imager needs a new telescope (or a camera) every few years to re-image the gems of the nightsky.

[Ryderscope]

Lovely Mike. Certainly captures the wonderful spectacle of this area :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Glad you think so Louie, I recon this area needs good colour :thumbsup:



He he, you said that for the Ha data only version...I think it is lots of peoples favourite area and for damn good reason :) ..and I haven't imaged it at 4deg X 4deg before :D



Thanks George, I used 10min sub frames for every filter



Thanks Suavi...I mean Sushi :P I agree about getting new gear as often as possible, it's called the Lewis-Hough effect :lol:...sadly I no can do, new equipment additions are very spaced out for me :sadeyes:



Thanks Rod :thumbsup:

[topheart]

Hi Mike,
Well done!
I agree with everyone's comments re the wide field of view here.

Sounds like a challenge down there lately with the cold and the fog!!

Cheers,
Tim

[Retrograde]

That is superb Mike. Great to see that FSQ producing the goods in your capable hands.

[Andy01]

I like it Mike - probably the best "true colour" version I've seen.:thumbsup:

(That being said, I kinda still prefer this target in NB) :scared3:

Great job :thumbsup:

[Bart]

That is very nice, Mikey Mike! :thumbsup:

Beautiful blend of data and creative processing. :)

[Paul Haese]

This encapsulates the region so well. I really like the dark dust lanes showing up nicely. Also being able to see what looks like the outer shock waves from the O star at the centre of NGC6164. Nicely composed.

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Tim, Oh it's great, -6C all rugged up with a wee whisky in hand under a crisp crystal clear Milky Way...is hard to match :drink:


...except perhaps sitting deep in the remote Savannah near Chillagoe, at 20degC, in shorts and a tshirt drinking cold beer......:question: :lol:



Thanks a lot Pete :thumbsup:



Hey, no need to hide behind your blue astro leather Versace couch there Andy :lol: Narrowband is good for sure on this target but I had already done that the last time I shot this area, with the AG12 and PL16803 back in 2011, so I thought this time, with the bigger 5.7deg diagonal field, that shows the nebs full expanse, I'd produce a result to showcase the more natural colour palette including the surrounding star fields, which you lose in full narrowband :)



Cheers Bart :thumbsup:



Thanks Paul

Mike

[JA]

Well done Mike on this wonderful rendition :thumbsup:

Best
JA

[strongmanmike]

Thanks a lot JA :thumbsup:

Mike

[SimmoW]

Likely to be my fave version ever of this target Mike, superb!

[cometcatcher]

Lovely image Mike. I'll have to shoot this one again through your finderscope sometime. :P

[strongmanmike]

Wow, chuffed to hear that Simon :cheers:



He he..cheers Kevin, once you are better you should upgrade from my finderscope :thumbsup:

Mike

[RickS]

So much magenta goodness, Mike. And blue too. A very cool and different take on the fighting dragons :thumbsup:

[LewisM]

A true Sidonio image. Inspiring.

[strongmanmike]

Ha ha yeah the good'ol magenta, the way it should be :P...very few RGB colour palette renditions at this FOV get done huh? Usually all traditional narrowband.



Nice to know Louis the fly :thumbsup:

Mike